WANGANUI RUGBY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 203, 25 August 1944, Page 3

WANGANUI RUGBY

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL TO-MORROW CITY TO PLAY PIRATES Keen public interest is being centred in the Wanganui Rugby club championship final, to be played on Spriggens Park to-morrow afternoon, between City and Pilates. This season has been one of unexpected upsets so far as club teams have been concerned. At one stage Wangaehu were out in front by 4 points, and one extra win would have placed the 1944 title in their hands, but they went down in two consecutive defeats, and then followed a close struggle for supremacy between City, Wangaehu and Pirates. Pirates had to make up a lot of leeway, as they did not get away to a good start at the beginning of the season. Kaierau, however, improved, and was a stumbling block to the three leading teams, and materially assisted in evening the championship points. Last Saturday Wangaehu were eliminated for the title, leaving the final effort between City and Pirates. A win for Pirates to-morrow would not be out of turn, as the blacks last won tlie Wanganui championshin back in 1926, and before that in 1913. With both City and Pirates at the top of their form and their best players available, a great struggle for supremacy should be seen. It is expected that a large crowd will be present to see what is expected to be the best club match of the season. The curtain-raiser will be between Waiouru and Wanganui for the J. A. Ward V.C. Memorial Shield. The following are the teams for the final:—■ Pirates: N. Ahern, L. Walden, T. Griffens, P. McGrath. J. Christian, R. Best, D. Downs, J. Martin, A. North over, G. Pedley, R. Nixon, C. Cross C. Wachrow, K. Harrison, J. Hoskin, M. Daly, T. Moore, P. Adams. City: L. Trillo, P. Church, R. Bruce, W. Wrigley, J. Kenny, B. Howard, M. Hunter. G. Williams. R. C. Voullaire, R. W. Cross, C. Dudley, M. Allen, H. J. Nagel, V. Halford, D. A. Almond, R. T. Hughes, W. Wilcox, M. Johns, O. Arden, M. Fleming, G. Williams. TEAMS FOR TO-MORROW Pirate Thirds: R. Head, I. Gurney, T. Dalton, J. Black, R. Buller, G. Nelson, R. Deerne'ss, L. O'Connor, B. Hessey, P. Hunia, J. Hopa, U. Tamahana, K. Pedley. E. Wrigley, L. Hylton, B. Tuttey, S. Schrieber. Kaierau Thirds: W. Dawson, P. Murray, J. Price, A. Glengarry, B Jones. N. Thomas. R. Smith, Barnes (2), K. Barron, D. Gilbertson, A. Paul, D. Hartley, A. McCarthy, D. Cavell, Auton.